Getting rid of a pet

I have a hard time understanding why anyone would give up their pet due to pregnancy and having children.

I have heard people say it's too much work to take care of a pet and
children, they couldn't handle pregnancy and a big dog, they didn't have enough money to feed their pet(s) and their children, etc.

If you (general) decide to get a pet, please make sure it's a life commitment. If you are in your childbearing years, think about how your home would change if you had a child and pet, before getting the pet.

I have a hard time understanding why anyone would give up their pet due to pregnancy and having children.

I have heard people say it's too much work to take care of a pet and
children, they couldn't handle pregnancy and a big dog, they didn't have enough money to feed their pet(s) and their children, etc.

If you (general) decide to get a pet, please make sure it's a life commitment. If you are in your childbearing years, think about how your home would change if you had a child and pet, before getting the pet.

In general I agree. I have only gotten rid of one pet and it was bc of my child though. It was a stray cat a friend found and we took it in. Unfortunately it hated my 18 mo old (at the time) DD and attacked her. Like, would hide behind a door and when she walked in lunge at her. Or she would be on the couch and the cat would jump up from behind it an claw at her. Not to my 4 yr old or anyone else. I couldn't keep her., period. We tried to find a home, and ended up having to take her to a shelter. I still feel bad, but had no choice.

I think people do need to think about this when getting a pet, but for me, the child will always come first. If there is no real reason other than too hard to take care of them, that is just silly.

In general I agree. I have only gotten rid of one pet and it was bc of my child though. It was a stray cat a friend found and we took it in. Unfortunately it hated my 18 mo old (at the time) DD and attacked her. Like, would hide behind a door and when she walked in lunge at her. Or she would be on the couch and the cat would jump up from behind it an claw at her. Not to my 4 yr old or anyone else. I couldn't keep her., period. We tried to find a home, and ended up having to take her to a shelter. I still feel bad, but had no choice.

I think people do need to think about this when getting a pet, but for me, the child will always come first. If there is no real reason other than too hard to take care of them, that is just silly.

I know a handful of people who had to give their pets away when they lost their home. They didn't plan to lose their home to foreclosure. They didn't plan to lose their job. It is hard to find a rental home or a HOA that will let you have 4 dogs, for example. I wouldn't rent a home to someone, like my girlfriend, who has 4 bull mastiffs unless I knew them well.

I can guarantee you that she never expected to be renting a home when she owned 30 or 40 homes at once. Nobody "plans" to lose their ass.

I know a handful of people who had to give their pets away when they lost their home. They didn't plan to lose their home to foreclosure. They didn't plan to lose their job. It is hard to find a rental home or a HOA that will let you have 4 dogs, for example. I wouldn't rent a home to someone, like my girlfriend, who has 4 bull mastiffs unless I knew them well.

I can guarantee you that she never expected to be renting a home when she owned 30 or 40 homes at once. Nobody "plans" to lose their ass.

I got rid of my dog when I became pregnant. I will admit I was young and stupid when we got the dog. We did not look into the breed and didn't know they were not good around children. When I got pregnant three years later we had to get rid of the dog. My baby was more important to me then Max. He is missed, but I would not change what I did. Maybe I would have never gotten him in the first place though.

I got rid of my dog when I became pregnant. I will admit I was young and stupid when we got the dog. We did not look into the breed and didn't know they were not good around children. When I got pregnant three years later we had to get rid of the dog. My baby was more important to me then Max. He is missed, but I would not change what I did. Maybe I would have never gotten him in the first place though.

I agree with you. The ONLY way we will "get rid" of any of our animals is if they get agressive with the kids for no reason. Otherwise, I took the responsibility of that animal when I adobted it. Which is why I still have that darn bird!

I agree with you. The ONLY way we will "get rid" of any of our animals is if they get agressive with the kids for no reason. Otherwise, I took the responsibility of that animal when I adobted it. Which is why I still have that darn bird!

My pet situation is pretty ridiculous. I have two cats, one is 2 the other is 3. I have had them both since they were babies. Right now they are living in their basement and I go downstairs every day to tend to them, but in the next few months we are moving to a smaller house where I won't have the ability to keep them in aÂ separateÂ space in the house. The issue is my dads 13 year old dachshund. He is 100% spoiled andÂ unsocialized. The second he caught a glimpse of one of my cats he tried to kill him. So, since I will not get rid of my cats, and dad will not get rid of his dog...I had to figure out an alternative.

So! I am building an indoor/outdoor cat enclosure! They will probably have to live there for about a year, but I think they would like it, what do you think?

My pet situation is pretty ridiculous. I have two cats, one is 2 the other is 3. I have had them both since they were babies. Right now they are living in their basement and I go downstairs every day to tend to them, but in the next few months we are moving to a smaller house where I won't have the ability to keep them in aÂ separateÂ space in the house. The issue is my dads 13 year old dachshund. He is 100% spoiled andÂ unsocialized. The second he caught a glimpse of one of my cats he tried to kill him. So, since I will not get rid of my cats, and dad will not get rid of his dog...I had to figure out an alternative.

So! I am building an indoor/outdoor cat enclosure! They will probably have to live there for about a year, but I think they would like it, what do you think?

I totally agree with you. Â A pet should be a life long commitment. Â When you have children you never expect the worst to happen, but if it does you make it work. Â You should have the same sort of mentality when it comes to your animals. Â There are very few circumstances in which I would understand needing to find a new home for your pet. Â

Simply being pregnant is not a reason to get rid of a pet. Â Thinking that the animal will not be good around children is not a good reason to get rid of a pet. Â Hire a trainer, bring them into your home and find out first. Â Moving into an apt. that doesn't allow pets is not a good reason. Â Find an apt. that does allow them. Â So it might take a little more leg work. Â Deal.

People who get animals and expect it to be easy are deluded. Â People who think animals are expendable get no sympathy from me. Â

I totally agree with you. Â A pet should be a life long commitment. Â When you have children you never expect the worst to happen, but if it does you make it work. Â You should have the same sort of mentality when it comes to your animals. Â There are very few circumstances in which I would understand needing to find a new home for your pet. Â

Simply being pregnant is not a reason to get rid of a pet. Â Thinking that the animal will not be good around children is not a good reason to get rid of a pet. Â Hire a trainer, bring them into your home and find out first. Â Moving into an apt. that doesn't allow pets is not a good reason. Â Find an apt. that does allow them. Â So it might take a little more leg work. Â Deal.

People who get animals and expect it to be easy are deluded. Â People who think animals are expendable get no sympathy from me. Â

My house is a bloody exotic zoo! (I foster unwanted reptiles, from idiots who bought them to be cool) S/o isnt crazy about our newest "tenant" though (mexi red knee tarantula) but I love helping these little critters find good homes. Daughter adores the snakes and assorted lizards, but obviously isnt permitted to handle them, or be in the "farm room" unsupervised. I sometimes just wish these people would think before getting a reptile or spider, as they arent quite as easy to rehome.

My house is a bloody exotic zoo! (I foster unwanted reptiles, from idiots who bought them to be cool) S/o isnt crazy about our newest "tenant" though (mexi red knee tarantula) but I love helping these little critters find good homes. Daughter adores the snakes and assorted lizards, but obviously isnt permitted to handle them, or be in the "farm room" unsupervised. I sometimes just wish these people would think before getting a reptile or spider, as they arent quite as easy to rehome.

My children are what keeps the dog around! Dogs are awesome! Any kind of food that gets dropped on the floor is promptly cleaned up, she barks to tell me when strangers walk by... My dog is my babies fairy dog mother! She plays with my toddler, they were in her room for a good 2 hours this morning playing, God knows what but she was out of my hair and that's all the counts.

Anyone considering getting rid of their dog solely because they're having a kid... think about the pro's later on! It's like having a Roomba that loves you back!

My children are what keeps the dog around! Dogs are awesome! Any kind of food that gets dropped on the floor is promptly cleaned up, she barks to tell me when strangers walk by... My dog is my babies fairy dog mother! She plays with my toddler, they were in her room for a good 2 hours this morning playing, God knows what but she was out of my hair and that's all the counts.

Anyone considering getting rid of their dog solely because they're having a kid... think about the pro's later on! It's like having a Roomba that loves you back!

This is unfathomable to me. It's something I would never, ever do. Pets are a lifetime (their lifetime) commitment in my family. They are part of our family.

If someone just gives away a pet, I don't think it bodes well for someone's tolerance level as a parent either. God forbid their kids ever become an inconvenience, maybe they'll just give them away too.

I know it sounds extreme and unreasonable. I'm just extremely passionate about my cats, all pets, and animals in general. It drives me crazy when people treat animals as objects.

This is unfathomable to me. It's something I would never, ever do. Pets are a lifetime (their lifetime) commitment in my family. They are part of our family.

If someone just gives away a pet, I don't think it bodes well for someone's tolerance level as a parent either. God forbid their kids ever become an inconvenience, maybe they'll just give them away too.

I know it sounds extreme and unreasonable. I'm just extremely passionate about my cats, all pets, and animals in general. It drives me crazy when people treat animals as objects.

I have 4 rescues. 3 outside and 1 inside. My 3 big ones drive me insane now that I am pregnant. They have no manners and bad habits (thank you DH for spoiling them rotten). But I still wouldn't get rid of them. We have made them more outdoor (DH used to bring them in all the time) in anticipation for baby. They still sleep in their kennels in the garage and he still sneaks them in. They won't be going anywhere unless of course they show aggression towards the baby. Even then I would seek help from a trainer. I also work as a foster for a rescue group so they definitely wouldn't go to the pound.

My indoor pup is almost as excited about the baby as we are. He likes to lay by the crib or the car seat or on the kick n play. Pete (wiener dog) is a huge part of our life. We couldn't imagine life without him.

I have 4 rescues. 3 outside and 1 inside. My 3 big ones drive me insane now that I am pregnant. They have no manners and bad habits (thank you DH for spoiling them rotten). But I still wouldn't get rid of them. We have made them more outdoor (DH used to bring them in all the time) in anticipation for baby. They still sleep in their kennels in the garage and he still sneaks them in. They won't be going anywhere unless of course they show aggression towards the baby. Even then I would seek help from a trainer. I also work as a foster for a rescue group so they definitely wouldn't go to the pound.

My indoor pup is almost as excited about the baby as we are. He likes to lay by the crib or the car seat or on the kick n play. Pete (wiener dog) is a huge part of our life. We couldn't imagine life without him.

In my magical fairy kingdom, everything is perfect and exactly as I say it should be damnit!

From:
Aditch

To: kdps

Posted: Nov-16 03:30 PM (18 of 68)

"If someone just gives away a pet, I don't think it bodes well for
someone's tolerance level as a parent either. God forbid their kids
ever become an inconvenience, maybe they'll just give them away too."

You don't think there is a huge difference between an animal and your offspring?

"If someone just gives away a pet, I don't think it bodes well for
someone's tolerance level as a parent either. God forbid their kids
ever become an inconvenience, maybe they'll just give them away too."

You don't think there is a huge difference between an animal and your offspring?

Ugh, this topic hits really close to home for me right now. I am totally devastated right now because I had to get rid of my dog, Austin, this past weekend. He is at a new home now and I am grieving really bad over it.

I have had him for 6 1/2 years. I got him from the shelter, he is a yellow lab mix and when we got him (my ex and I), we thought he would be a good family dog. I got divorced and remarried and brought my beloved Austin with me. Austin has had issues with aggression due to food and loud noises pretty much all his life and I worked extensively with a behavioral trainer on this issue before having kids. He did great and came a long way...until....

This past 4th of July we took him to my grandparent's cottage where it is a huge rule with all the neighbors that fireworks are NOT allowed. There have been no fireworks up there for at least ten years. Well this year, some dumb a had them and my dog went CRAZY! He was tearing through doors and windows (he has previously broke through a glass window due to his anxiety) and was growling at me when I tried to calmly redirect him. I tried to redirect him because it is a very small cottage and he was getting very close to hurting my daughter with his craziness, let alone me and DH. I took him outside to try to protect my daughter, he went even crazier because it was louder outside. He got out of his collar. I went chasing after him, got his collar, and was trying to get him back on him when he bit me and literally tore half of my nose off of my face.

I had to go get 16 stiches and will be looking at facial reconstruction surgery after I have this baby (couldn't get it done while pregnant). I talked to a behavioral dog expert and she said it was most likely because I got down to eye level with Austin and he freaked and bit me. My daughter is eye level with him at all times. Could I keep him and risk that something would set him off and he would rid my daughter's face off? HECK NO! As much as it breaks my heart, he has to go. I had to choose between him and my children, and I choose my children. It sucks, but I cannot risk him doing that to one of them.

Ugh, this topic hits really close to home for me right now. I am totally devastated right now because I had to get rid of my dog, Austin, this past weekend. He is at a new home now and I am grieving really bad over it.

I have had him for 6 1/2 years. I got him from the shelter, he is a yellow lab mix and when we got him (my ex and I), we thought he would be a good family dog. I got divorced and remarried and brought my beloved Austin with me. Austin has had issues with aggression due to food and loud noises pretty much all his life and I worked extensively with a behavioral trainer on this issue before having kids. He did great and came a long way...until....

This past 4th of July we took him to my grandparent's cottage where it is a huge rule with all the neighbors that fireworks are NOT allowed. There have been no fireworks up there for at least ten years. Well this year, some dumb a had them and my dog went CRAZY! He was tearing through doors and windows (he has previously broke through a glass window due to his anxiety) and was growling at me when I tried to calmly redirect him. I tried to redirect him because it is a very small cottage and he was getting very close to hurting my daughter with his craziness, let alone me and DH. I took him outside to try to protect my daughter, he went even crazier because it was louder outside. He got out of his collar. I went chasing after him, got his collar, and was trying to get him back on him when he bit me and literally tore half of my nose off of my face.

I had to go get 16 stiches and will be looking at facial reconstruction surgery after I have this baby (couldn't get it done while pregnant). I talked to a behavioral dog expert and she said it was most likely because I got down to eye level with Austin and he freaked and bit me. My daughter is eye level with him at all times. Could I keep him and risk that something would set him off and he would rid my daughter's face off? HECK NO! As much as it breaks my heart, he has to go. I had to choose between him and my children, and I choose my children. It sucks, but I cannot risk him doing that to one of them.

So if your dog ripped part of your face off, literally did this, and you were told by a dog behavior expert that he could certainly do the same, if not worse, to your child...you would still take that risk and keep the dog?

I love my dog. A lot. It will never, ever compare to the love I have for my children. If I feel I need to get rid of him to keep my child safe, I will. I disagree with you that it makes me a bad parent. This was not a decision I took lightly, I looked into every alternative.

So if your dog ripped part of your face off, literally did this, and you were told by a dog behavior expert that he could certainly do the same, if not worse, to your child...you would still take that risk and keep the dog?

I love my dog. A lot. It will never, ever compare to the love I have for my children. If I feel I need to get rid of him to keep my child safe, I will. I disagree with you that it makes me a bad parent. This was not a decision I took lightly, I looked into every alternative.

Actually, no, not a huge difference. But I do realize I am likely the exception. I just really care about my pets, and have been a "crazy cat lady" since age 3 when my family brought home our first cats. My current two cats are a huge part of my life and make me very happy. Can't imagine life without them.

However, I totally recognize that to most others, animals are held in lesser regard than humans. That's their business of course. I was simply stating my view on the issue.

Actually, no, not a huge difference. But I do realize I am likely the exception. I just really care about my pets, and have been a "crazy cat lady" since age 3 when my family brought home our first cats. My current two cats are a huge part of my life and make me very happy. Can't imagine life without them.

However, I totally recognize that to most others, animals are held in lesser regard than humans. That's their business of course. I was simply stating my view on the issue.

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